MANILA, Philippines — Public support for Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial rose in April, with nearly 3 in 4 Filipinos saying she should answer the charges before the Senate, according to OCTA Research.
The figure climbed from 69% in March to 74% in April, even as support remains lower than the levels recorded in two impeachment-related surveys last year.
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Twenty-one percent of respondents opposed the impeachment trial, while 4% were undecided.
The survey was conducted from April 20 to 24 among 1,200 male and female respondents from 240 sample barangays nationwide. It had a margin of error of ±3 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.
Support uneven across regions
OCTA said support for the impeachment trial was consistent across economic classes, with more than 70% support recorded among respondents from classes ABC, D and E.
Regional results, however, were "more uneven."
Support was highest in the Visayas at 82%, followed by the National Capital Region at 81% and Balance Luzon at 77%. It was lowest in Mindanao at 58%.
OCTA described the Mindanao result as the "most analytically significant finding," noting that the region is the political base of the Duterte family.
Public opinion on VP Duterte impeachment trial
Do you think Vice President Sara Duterte should face trial in the Senate or an impeachment court to address the allegations against her?
| Response | PH | NCR | Balance Luzon | Visayas | Mindanao | ABC | D | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 74% | 81% | 77% | 82% | 58% | 74% | 75% | 73% |
| No | 21% | 16% | 14% | 18% | 41% | 20% | 21% | 22% |
| Don't know | 4% | 3% | 8% | 0% | 0% | 5% | 4% | 5% |
| Refused | 0% | 0% | 1% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 1% | 0% |